Keno Evol’s “Black Poets On Black Magic – Joy & Survival”

Nov 7, 2016

The Lowertown Reading Jam at the Black Dog with

Keno Evol’s “Black Poets On Black Magic – Joy & Survival”

Contact:Clarence White, clarence@saintpaulalmanac.org612-267-9036

SAINT PAUL (November 2, 2016) In November, the Lowertown Reading Jam returns to the Black Dog Café as the Saint Paul Almanac presents Keno Evol and another great lineup of artists for “Black Poets On Black Magic – Joy & Survival.” The words fly at the Black Dog at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30 at 308 East Prince Street, in Saint Paul’s Lowertown.

Last month’s show packed the newly renovated and larger space at the Black Dog. Led by Evol, this month’s event promises to match that with a cast of national award-winning and highly decorated poets.

Keno Evol is the founder and executive director of Black Table Arts, an arts-based organization centering on conjuring and cultivating other worlds through black art. He has invited a group of word artists who come together to cultivate volume in Black literature that celebrates Black life. Eight poets “invite you to participate in an evening of conjuring and creation as we travel with these poets to other worlds in Black time and Black space,” says Evol.

Evol’s work has centered on connecting students with Black literature, theory and the craft of poetry while promoting literacy, leadership and social justice through the study and application of spoken word and Hip Hop culture. He will be joined by Donte Collins, Khary Jackson, Dua Saleh, Fatima Camara, Fayise Hail, Isha Camar and Sarah Ogutu.

Donte Collins is the author of Autopsy (2017) and winner of the 2016 Most Promising Young Poet Awardfrom the Academy of American Poets. Donte is the recipient of the 2016 Mitchell Prize in Poetry and is currently a junior at Augsburg College.

Khary Jacksonis a poet, playwright, dancer, musician and is an alumnus of Cave Canem, the esteemed writing fellowship for Black writers. His first poetry book, Any Psalm You Want, was published in the spring of 2013.

Fatima Camara is a 20-year-old spoken word artist who has been the Be Heard program associate for the Be Heard 2015 and 2016 team. She is a periodic host of Re-Verb Open Mic at Golden Thyme Coffee & Café, which was named “Best Open Mic” by City Pages in 2015.

Isha Camara is a senior at Cristo Rey High School. Her work has taken her to international competitions, including Brave New Voices, and she has perfected the role of sacrificial poet at college slams and wants to get back to her violin practice.

Sarah Ogutu is a recovery advocate, youth counselor, and event coordinator. Her work has seen the stages of the Loft, Button Poetry Live, and the National Poetry Slam as she explores the politics of the interpersonal.

Fayise Hailu was born into a refugee family of farmers from East Africa and was raised in southwest Minnesota, she writes poetry and memoir that focuses on rural life from the perspective of communities of color, migrant and refugee populations, and Indigenous peoples.

Dua Saleh is a student at Augsburg College majoring in gender, women’s, and sexuality studies. Dua is an active youth organizer who does work primarily centering on marginalized voices and identities. Dua has recently become more invested in performing and hopes to share space with others through the medium of art.

This talent-packed event will bring you to your feet with the movements of heart and mind.

The Lowertown Reading Jams are open to all ages, no cover, donations welcome. As always, food and beverages will be for sale.